Allentown's OKIS joins a host of Lehigh Valley hookah lounges

OKIS Grill & Hookah Lounge opened July 11 at 1869 S. Fourth St. in Allentown.

OKIS Grill & Hookah Lounge opened July 11 at 1869 S. Fourth St. in Allentown.

Ryan Kneller

Lehigh Valley hot for hookahs

No matter where you look these days, there’s a good chance that you will find your favorite flavor — from blueberry, bubble gum and butterscotch to chocolate, strawberry and pina colada.

No, I’m not talking about ice cream shops. I’m referring to hookah lounges, which are popping up all over the Lehigh Valley.

The latest addition is OKIS Grill & Hookah Lounge, which debuted Saturday at 1869 S. Fourth St. in Allentown.

The 200-seat establishment, which fills the space left vacant by Oliver Shakewell’s restaurant, joins other new hookah destinations Maza Middle Eastern Cuisine, which opened July 3 on Mickley Avenue in Whitehall Township (former Amore Italian & Mediterranean Cuisine spot); and the soon-to-be Mindy’s Hookah Lounge & Restaurant, which is transitioning from Paradise Hookah Lounge & Restaurant in the coming weeks, on Hanover Avenue in Allentown.

“There’s a big demand for these lounges right now because they offer a different vibe than nightclubs — more relaxing,” OKIS owner Osiris Guzman said. “You can gather with family and friends while enjoying hookah, music and delicious food.”

OKIS Grill & Hookah Lounge at 1869 S. Fourth Street in Allentown.

(Chris Shipley/The Morning Call)

Guzman, of Allentown, began work on the space in mid-April with improvements, including new lighting, wall paint, furniture, televisions, kitchen equipment and refurbished hardwood floors. A new ventilation system sucks up smoke and blows out clean air.

Hookahs, water pipes used for smoking tobacco (typically fruit flavored), can be used in the bar area at all times and in the dining room after 7 p.m.

More than 20 flavors are available, including guava, kiwi, mango and mint, along with a food menu that includes pub-style selections ($4-$12.99) such as burgers, wings, tacos and quesadillas, as well as main courses ($13.99-$24) such as ceviche, New York strip steak, barbecue pork ribs and creole lobster.

“We’re specializing in steaks and seafood,” said Guzman, who also operates Allentown’s Deja Vu Night Club and Hazleton’s Blu Lounge. “We’ve got everything from garlic shrimp and red snapper to rib-eyes and T-bones, but my favorite is the churrasco.”

OKIS does not serve alcohol, but is BYOB until midnight. Virgin specialty drinks such as daiquiris, martinis and mojitos also are offered.

Mindy’s, owned by Mindy Mohamed, allows for hookah use in the 150-seat restaurant and on the 60-seat patio while Maza, owned by husband and wife Rami and Lisa Dayoub, limits its use to the 50-seat patio (after 7 p.m.).

Other popular area hookah lounges include Essence, Hookah Turka and Sultana, all in Bethlehem, as well as The Source in Allentown.

OKIS, offering karaoke and live music on select nights, is open 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. (possibly later depending on crowd) on Friday and Saturday. Info: 610-791-0300.